Green aims to paint the town red at Rudding Park

Woodsome Hall captain Andy Green is aiming to mark the club’s return to the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge with a trip to Turkey.

Green will partner head professional John Eyre in the North East qualifying event to be held at Harrogate’s Rudding Park Golf Club on Tuesday, August 11.

The West Yorkshire duo will be aiming to seal a place in the £25,000 showpiece final to be held at the PGA Sultan Club in Antalya, Turkey, on November 25-26.

But Woodsome Hall have not been represented in the competition in recent years.

And their participation in this year’s event coincides with a busy year on and off the course.

Eyre is due to compete the final of the PGA Fourball Championship the next day.

And Woodsome Hall are branching out by opening a new Dormy House which allows players to spend golfing weekends at the Huddersfield venue.

Nine-handicapper Green, aged 49, admits it is good to be back in the Pro-Captain competition.

“I know John hasn’t played in it for two or three years, so it’s our first time for a while,” said the Holmfirth-based Green, a customer care director for a major supermarket chain.

“I’m having a good year and my handicap has actually come down which isn’t always the case in a captain’s year.

“But last year was my busy year when we were setting up the Dormy House, it has eight twin bedrooms which allows players to book and stay overnight.

“So it’s been an important time for the club.”

Neither player has major experience of the course - but the venue is a memorable one for Eyre.

“The last time I was at Rudding Park was when I got married!” said the PGA Professional.

I think I’ve played it once before but it should be a good venue.

“I got to the Fourball final with my assistant at Woodsome Hall, Adam Durie, so it’d be nice to keep that form going.

“My main focus is on teaching so it’s good to get out on the course and play well.

“We’re a forward thinking club but this is the first time in a while that we’ve tried to qualify for the final.

“For various reasons, previous captains haven’t been able to play so I’m pleased Andy’s able to do it this year.”

Other teams from the North-East area playing at Rudding Park include: Craig Jones and Matthew Jackson (Rudding Park Golf Academy); Oliver Hart and Tony Lightfoot (Grimsby Golf Club); Aaron Pheasant and Joe Fortnum (Hull Golf Club); Jason Laszkowicz and Michael Gilmore (Owston Hall); Michael Nesbit and Ian Robson (Westerhope Golf Club); Stephen McNally and Ian Smith (Sunderland Golf Centre); and Stewart Pilgrim and Anthony Foster (Teesside Golf Club).